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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Chronograph

Breitling Navitimer Reference 806 Chronograph

Partially verified

This Breitling Navitimer reference 806 is a manually wound chronograph featuring the Valjoux 72 movement. It is identified by the source as a very early production example, as the company subsequently transitioned the movement to a Venus caliber. The stainless steel case displays early-series characteristics, including a beaded rotating bezel with a higher count of machined teeth and prominent, wide-chamfered lugs. The dial has a deep gloss black finish with gilt printing, featuring the AOPA wing logo and early radium markers. Designed as a tool for aviation calculations, this model is estimated to have a production run of fewer than 1,200 units based on an analysis of case serial numbers. The auction description reports that the watch remains in an unrestored state. Details regarding its service history or accompanying items were not documented in the provided source material.

Breitling Navitimer reference 806 with Valjoux 72 caliber, featuring a beaded bezel and AOPA dial.
Breitling Navitimer reference 806 with Valjoux 72 caliber, featuring a beaded bezel and AOPA dial. — Zamanito. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Wristwatch · Chronograph
Maker / attribution
Breitling
Reference
806
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
Early 1950s
Source-reported place
سوئیس

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial Design

The watch is housed in a stainless steel case that the source describes as an early-series configuration. Key aesthetic features include wider and more prominent chamfers on the lugs and a beaded rotating bezel distinguished by a higher number of machined teeth compared to later iterations of this model.

The dial is finished with a deep gloss black surface and gilt-printed indices. It is marked with the winged AOPA logo, identifying it with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and is fitted with indices featuring early radium luminous material. The watch was engineered specifically to facilitate navigation calculations for pilots.

Evidence for this section
  • “قاب فولادی این مدل دارای ویژگی‌های متمایز مربوط به سری‌های ابتدایی است؛ از جمله زوار چرخشی (بزل) مهره‌دار با تعداد دندانه‌های ماشین‌کاری‌شده بیشتر در مقایسه با نسخه‌های بعدی، و پخ‌های پهن‌تر و برجسته‌تر روی پایه‌های بند (Lugs)”
  • “صفحه این ساعت مچی با پس‌زمینه مشکی براق عمیق (Deep Gloss)، چاپ طلاکوب (Gilt) و نشان تجاری بالدار مشهور انجمن مالکان و خلبانان هواپیما «AOPA» مزین شده و دارای نشانگرهای رادیومی اولیه است”

Movement and Production

This specific timepiece is powered by the Valjoux 72 manual-wind chronograph movement. According to the listing, the use of this specific caliber was limited to the initial months of Navitimer production, after which Breitling switched to Venus-based movements for reasons that remain unclear.

Based on an analysis of case serial numbers, it is estimated that the total production of this specific configuration was fewer than 1,200 units.

Evidence for this section
  • “این ساعت‌ها به کالیبر Valjoux 72 مجهز شدند و سپس کمپانی برایت‌لینگ بنا به دلایلی که هنوز مشخص نیست، پیشرانه آن را به کالیبر Venus تغییر داد”
  • “تخمین زده می‌شود که در طول آن چند ماه نخست، کمتر از ۱۲۰۰ نسخه از این ساعت تولید شده باشد”

Reported Condition

The auction description reports that the watch is preserved in an unrestored and entirely untouched state.

There is no provided information regarding technical service records, original boxes, or accompanying papers for this particular watch.

Evidence for this section
  • “این ساعت کاملاً دست‌نخورده و بدون بازسازی (Unrestored) باقی مانده و از وضعیت سلامت بسیار چشمگیر و قابل توجهی برخوردار است”
  • “جزئیات بیشتری درباره سوابق سرویس‌های فنی احتمالی یا اقلام جانبی همراه ساعت در متن فروشنده ذکر نشده است”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific range of case serial numbers that identifies this early production batch?
  • Which specific Venus movement caliber replaced the Valjoux 72 in subsequent Navitimer 806 production?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Breitling Navitimer Reference 806 Chronograph
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerBreitling“برند سازنده: Breitling”
ModelNavitimer“مدل: Navitimer (نسخه AOPA)”
Reference806“شماره رفرنس: 806”
MovementValjoux 72“کالیبر: Valjoux 72”
Estimated productionless than 1200“کمتر از ۱۲۰۰ نسخه”
ConditionUnrestored“کاملاً بدون بازسازی”

Visible details

  • Beaded rotating bezel with multiple machined teeth
  • Gilt printing on deep gloss black dial
  • AOPA wing logo on dial
  • Wide, prominent lugs on stainless steel case

Research qualifications

  • The exact number of units produced is estimated from serial number analysis rather than official records
  • Reasons for the transition from Valjoux 72 to Venus movements remain unknown

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

ساعت مچی کرنوگراف Breitling Navitimer رفرنس 806 با کالیبر Valjoux 72

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 28e3c867ae

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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